Doppler echocardiography in elderly patients with ejection systolic murmurs. Issue 794 (December 1991)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKillop, G. M.; Stewart, D. A.; Burns, J. M.; Ballantyne, D.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 67:Issue 794(1991)
• Page Start: 1059
• Page End: 1061
• Publication Date: 1991-12
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.67.794.1059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Thirty-nine elderly patients, mean age 77 years (range 65 to 96), with ejection systolic murmurs were studied to evaluate the functional significance of these murmurs. Subjects were evaluated clinically, by 2-D echocardiography, and by a full Doppler echocardiography study. Good quality Doppler signals were obtained in 35 subjects. Mitral regurgitation was found to be the only significant valvular lesion in 6 patients (17%). Doppler gradients in systole across the aortic valve were less than 30 mmHg in 28 subjects (80%) and were considered not significant. Gradients of greater than 30 mmHg representing significant aortic stenosis were found in 7 subjects (20%). The clinical sensitivity in detecting significant aortic stenosis was 44% and specificity was 81%. Doppler evidence of significant aortic stenosis was found in a substantial proportion of these elderly subjects. Neither clinical assessment nor 2-D echocardiography can be relied on to exclude this condition.